Jesus is Immanuel, “God with us.” As the Apostle Paul said, “He is the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15a). There are a host of texts that point to Christ’s divine nature and his role as the Creator of all things. John tells us not only that Jesus was with God and was God in the beginning, but also that all things that were created were created through him (cf. John 1:1-3). I have argued these issues at length here on this board, but that is not the purpose of this post. This is for traditional Christians who understand these concepts well and have no problem embracing the divinity of Jesus. This is to encourage believers to wrestle with the concept of the full humanity of Jesus as well.
I believe it is important for us to think about the implications of Christ’s full humanity. It is important that we recognize that Jesus was made like us in every way. Many Christians want to put Jesus up on the divine category only to find him completely incomprehensible. Suddenly they can no longer identify with Jesus, nor do they feel he can identify with them. I mean, how would we know what its like to be a God-man and how would a God-man understand me?
What if Christ’s extraordinary life was not the direct result of his divine power? I think it is important for us to understand that Jesus was made fully human and truly experienced life as we experience it. Scripture teaches us that he “grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:46). Jesus, as a man, did not know everything. He fully embraced our humanity and grew up like a normal human being. He had to learn and grow. There is no doubt that even from a young age his insight was unparalleled. However, I believe those insights were forged through his passionate pursuit of the Father and not because of divine advantage. Moreover, Jesus did miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit (cf. Luke 4:14). I think this suggests that Jesus did not rely on his own divine nature, but relied on the person of the Holy Spirit to empower him as a human. How could Jesus be tempted to sin when God cannot be tempted by sin? Again, Jesus, though fully divine, operated entirely as a human and experienced life just like you and me in this world.
Why does this matter? It matters because God understands. God did not take on human form and then use his divine powers to shield himself from all of our growing, struggles, temptations and suffering. Rather, he put all of his power and privilege aside. Not only did he become like us, but he even became the lowest of the low and died the most humiliating of all deaths (cf. Phil 2:6-8). Although he is the greatest, he can identify with the lowest. Truly he was like us in every way. Jesus was fully human.
At times, we may imagine God to be distant and disconnected. However, Jesus gives us quite a different picture. God knows what it is like to walk in our skin. He knows what it is like to have to learn, grow, face unknowns, and become so tired that even a furious storm on the open sea isn’t strong enough to fight off the sleep. He knows what it is like to feel hungry, thirsty, cold, weak, mistreated, endure relentless pain and take his final breath. God is closer than you think and understands you better than you think. He knows where you are and also knows how to overcome. Whatever you are facing, you can take it to him.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15–16, ESV)
I believe it is important for us to think about the implications of Christ’s full humanity. It is important that we recognize that Jesus was made like us in every way. Many Christians want to put Jesus up on the divine category only to find him completely incomprehensible. Suddenly they can no longer identify with Jesus, nor do they feel he can identify with them. I mean, how would we know what its like to be a God-man and how would a God-man understand me?
What if Christ’s extraordinary life was not the direct result of his divine power? I think it is important for us to understand that Jesus was made fully human and truly experienced life as we experience it. Scripture teaches us that he “grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:46). Jesus, as a man, did not know everything. He fully embraced our humanity and grew up like a normal human being. He had to learn and grow. There is no doubt that even from a young age his insight was unparalleled. However, I believe those insights were forged through his passionate pursuit of the Father and not because of divine advantage. Moreover, Jesus did miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit (cf. Luke 4:14). I think this suggests that Jesus did not rely on his own divine nature, but relied on the person of the Holy Spirit to empower him as a human. How could Jesus be tempted to sin when God cannot be tempted by sin? Again, Jesus, though fully divine, operated entirely as a human and experienced life just like you and me in this world.
Why does this matter? It matters because God understands. God did not take on human form and then use his divine powers to shield himself from all of our growing, struggles, temptations and suffering. Rather, he put all of his power and privilege aside. Not only did he become like us, but he even became the lowest of the low and died the most humiliating of all deaths (cf. Phil 2:6-8). Although he is the greatest, he can identify with the lowest. Truly he was like us in every way. Jesus was fully human.
At times, we may imagine God to be distant and disconnected. However, Jesus gives us quite a different picture. God knows what it is like to walk in our skin. He knows what it is like to have to learn, grow, face unknowns, and become so tired that even a furious storm on the open sea isn’t strong enough to fight off the sleep. He knows what it is like to feel hungry, thirsty, cold, weak, mistreated, endure relentless pain and take his final breath. God is closer than you think and understands you better than you think. He knows where you are and also knows how to overcome. Whatever you are facing, you can take it to him.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15–16, ESV)
